Wilton Pereira Sampaio will referee the opening game of the 2026 World Cup. The Brazilian referee is in charge of the match between Mexico and South Africa, scheduled for this Thursday, June 11, at the Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City. The assistants are also Brazilian. Bruno Pires and Bruno Boschilia complete the trio. FIFA’s choice reinforces Brazil’s presence in refereeing the tournament expanded to 48 teams.
The clash opens Group A of the competition. Mexico, as the host country, welcomes South Africa to one of the most traditional stages in world football. The Azteca has hosted past World Cup finals and now marks the kickoff of a historic edition, played in three countries.
Brazilian trio defines arbitration for debut
FIFA confirmed the refereeing team in advance as usual. Wilton Pereira Sampaio leads the team as main referee. Bruno Pires and Bruno Boschilia play on the flags. The three have already worked together on other international opportunities.
- Wilton Pereira Sampaio as field referee
- Bruno Pires as assistant 1
- Bruno Boschilia as assistant 2
The appointment takes place two or three days before the game, depending on the standard adopted by the entity. No incidents or changes have been reported to date.
Wilton Pereira Sampaio’s experience in World Cups
Wilton Pereira Sampaio has played in previous editions of the tournament. In 2018, in Russia, he served as a video referee. Two years later, in Qatar, he became head referee and refereed four games, including a quarter-final between England and France.
The Goian from Teresina de Goiás is 44 years old and has been a member of the FIFA team since 2013. He has already led the Brazilian Cup finals and games in continental competitions such as the Libertadores and Copa América. His third participation in World Cups places him in a select group of Brazilian referees with a consistent track record.
Context of the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 tournament is the first with 48 teams. The expansion requires a record group of referees. FIFA called up 52 main referees and 88 assistants to cover the 104 scheduled games.
The opening at Azteca carries symbolism. The stadium hosted the 1970 final, with Pelé’s Brazil, and the 1986 final. Mexico and South Africa face each other again in their debut, repeating what happened in the South African Cup in 2010.
Other Brazilians in arbitration
In addition to Wilton Pereira Sampaio, FIFA called Raphael Claus and Ramon Abatti Abel as main referees. Brazil maintains strong representation on the international scene. The choice for the opening match highlights the technical level recognized by the entity.
Brazilian arbitration has a tradition on big stages. The country usually contributes experienced and highly rated professionals to FIFA tournaments.
Azteca Stadium details and logistics
The Azteca Stadium, with a capacity for more than 80 thousand fans, hosts the game with high expectations. Mexico City prepares a party for the opening ceremony. The scheduled time is 4pm Brasília time.
The South African delegation arrived in Mexico after a short delay related to visas, but is already training normally. Mexico, as host, is looking for a good result in the first match of Group A.
Wilton Pereira Sampaio and his team arrive with specific preparation for the game. Elite referees follow rigorous fitness and video analysis protocols before each match.
The referee from Goiás has already shown coolness in decisive moments. His performances in Qatar were praised for their consistency and good positioning. FIFA trusts the trio to open the World Cup without controversy.
The expectation is for a balanced game. Mexico has the support of the local fans, while South Africa bets on speed and defensive organization. The result of the debut sets the tone for the campaign in the group.
Referee preparation for the tournament
FIFA carries out intensive training with all referees called up. Video sessions, physical tests and simulations of game situations are part of the routine. The goal is to standardize interpretations and reduce errors over a long tournament.
Wilton Pereira Sampaio has participated in these cycles for years. His evolution from VAR to main referee shows the path taken by Brazilian arbitration. The accumulated experience helps to deal with the pressure of an opening match.
The remainder of the tournament will see nominations announced progressively. Each game is assigned referees based on performance and neutrality.
The presence of three Brazilians as main players reinforces the investment of the Brazilian Football Confederation in the training of referees. Training programs generate visible results on the international scene.